Wyeke, my name is Michelle DeGroot and I am a member of the T’kemlups te Secwepemc, a First Nation. I have lived my whole life in the territories of the Coast Salish people and currently reside on the unceded ancestral territories of the Tseil Watuth Nation. For the last 25 years I have served in various roles for First Nation and Indigenous organizations. My focus has been the health and well-being of Indigenous people specifically in Canada. I have had the honour of working with other Indigenous peoples throughout North America, New Zealand and Australia on collaborative projects.
During my career I have had the opportunity to be mentored by many leaders, Elders and Knowledge Keepers from many First Nation communities across Canada. Growing up with out knowing ,or being able to practice, my Secwepemc culture has led to the opportunity to make it my life long journey to learn from those who were, and are, so kind and willing to share and support me learning where I am from and to be proud of who I am. This has led me to seek out ways to support others in the same way. Amnesty is one of these opportunities, whether as a member or as a director on the board. I have great empathy for those who do not have access to or have lost their culture and ways of being or are not allowed to be participate or know who they are.
If my skills in coaching, leadership, strategy, or others developed through my career are seen as beneficial to the work of Amnesty in fighting for the rights of others, then I am honoured to be of service. I would specifically consider the last 22 years working in health and wellness as a strength to bring forward. My knowledge of health systems but also my passion to think outside of an illness based system to focus on what makes human well through traditional and cultural practices.
Other considerations include experience in relationship building, strategic and tactical planning, team building, organizational development (within one organization and amongst partners including governments, First Nations, health authorities and other non-profit organizations) and coaching. I have my Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science from the Faculty of Health, both from Simon Fraser University.
